Smokehead NAS (43%, Ian Macleod, +/-2009)

From Ian Macleod Distillers come Smokehead, a single malt from an undisclosed distillery on Islay….The nose is very nice, sweet, buttery, fruity and has peat reek (peat smoke) by the shed load. There is also some dark unsweetened chocolate and some coastal influence. The sweet buttery notes backed by the peat reek are quite pleasant. The taste is very peaty and not overly strong but is also sweet and has some oaky spice, heavily peated malt (think of whole malt prior to milling) and a hint of juniper. After the nose the almost gentle mouth feel is some what of a surprise but the peat smoke is very much in evidence. The finish is once again dominated by the peat reek and also the oak spice, dark bitter chocolate and some small hints of creaminess towards the middle of the finish which is quite long. After a minute or two the finish carries on and reveals the hint of juniper and still, after some time has passed the finish continues and does not fall apart and remains rock solid which is what one would hope for.

Very nice indeed; Smokeheads will not be disappointed.

88 Points

Many thanks to Sam Filbus of  ImpEx Beverages, Inc. for the sample….

…and so begins ‘peat week’ ………. 1 of 4